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Barsoom Tales II: Romance, Revolution and BLOODY REVENGE!!! -- COMPLETE
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<blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 4197027" data-attributes="member: 812"><p><strong>What A Woman's Got To Do: 5</strong></p><p></p><p>"I think you're going to have to start again from the beginning."</p><p></p><p>Kho smiled, his eyes crinkling up like a friendly grandfather's. Elena couldn't help but smile back at him, despite the queasiness in her stomach and the pounding in her head. Arrafin lay sprawled beside her on a bench, groaning in Naridic.</p><p></p><p>"The Seven Orders have sent us to find and destroy the Demon Goddess of our homeland."</p><p></p><p>Etienne scoffed.</p><p></p><p>"And what makes them think you're up to the job?"</p><p></p><p>"It matters not. She must be slain or our lands will never again be green."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin forced herself upright.</p><p></p><p>"What are you talking about?"</p><p></p><p>Elena was watching carefully, and she saw the faintest hint of sadness on Kho's face, quickly hidden behind another grandfatherly smile. He bowed to Arrafin.</p><p></p><p>"She is queen of all evil. Our people suffer, our children are born deformed, and our crops barely grow, because of her. Unless we slay her, our country is doomed."</p><p></p><p>"I'm not listening to this. You people are nuts. Kill her? With what, that big sharp sword of yours? You don't know what you're talking about."</p><p></p><p>Kho drew in a slow breath and exhaled.</p><p></p><p>"You have not seen what has become of Tianguo in her wake. Our land groans under her madness. She has corrupted everything that we rely on. She must die, or our people will perish."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin stared, angry at first, but something in Kho's quiet expression melted her and she leaned forward, her big eyes blinking back sympathy.</p><p></p><p>"But you know she didn't have a choice. She didn't ask to be... that. Shang did it to her."</p><p></p><p>Kho shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"She must die. We will slay her. And you will bring us to her."</p><p></p><p>"That won't be a good day for you, I promise."</p><p></p><p>Elena grabbed at her friend before Arrafin could rush off.</p><p></p><p>"I think we need to talk. Just us."</p><p></p><p>The two women locked gazes for a moment, and Arrafin nodded.</p><p></p><p>"But not these guys. They creep me out."</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Isaac looked up from his cot as the inn room door opened and Nevid came in, pushed by Elena and Arrafin. Etienne sauntered in after them, closing the door behind him.</p><p></p><p>"Well."</p><p></p><p>Elena sat on the floor across from Isaac and wrapped her arms around her knees.</p><p></p><p>"I think we have a problem."</p><p></p><p>Isaac sighed.</p><p></p><p>"That's understating the situation considerably."</p><p></p><p>"Okay, but in specific, I'm worried we're on the wrong side."</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm sorry, Arrafin, but you heard Kho. I don't think he's lying. I'm worried that Madame Yuek's the bad guy in all this. Maybe we should be helping Shang, not her."</p><p></p><p>Etienne put up a hand.</p><p></p><p>"Hasn't Shang pretty much tried to kill us everytime we've seen him?"</p><p></p><p>"Has he? We've only got Madame Yuek's word for what he's up to."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin crossed her arms over her chest.</p><p></p><p>"What are you suggesting? We go work for him?"</p><p></p><p>"No, Arrafin. I'm suggesting we go talk to him. I've been, uh, talking to Farouk, and he can travel across distances. Sort of like that Shadow walking trick that Kani did. If you know where somebody is, he can take us there."</p><p></p><p>"But we don't know where Shang is. And seriously? Talk to Matai Shang, the insane sorcerer who wants Nevid's head? How is this a good idea?"</p><p></p><p>"Shang's at the Sleeping King. And Farouk can find the Sleeping King."</p><p></p><p>Everyone considered the news.</p><p></p><p>Etienne put his hand up again.</p><p></p><p>"So we show up in front of him. Then what?"</p><p></p><p>"Then we ask him what he wants."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, great idea, Elena. Why don't we just cut our own throats and save him the cleaning bill?"</p><p></p><p>"Arrafin, we don't know what he wants."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we do. He wants to destroy the Blood Council forever."</p><p></p><p>"That's what your girlfriend wants us to believe, you mean."</p><p></p><p>"Would you drop it, Elena? That's not funny. Shang is dangerous. We can't stop him if he tries to take Nevid's head."</p><p></p><p>"Let's ask Nevid."</p><p></p><p>"Sure. Nevid?"</p><p></p><p>The entire room turned to the young Saijadani fellow. Nevid swallowed.</p><p></p><p><em>I need your brain.</em></p><p></p><p>"I think it's a good idea. We should see what he wants."</p><p></p><p>Isaac looked around at his friends. He got to his feet.</p><p></p><p>"Sure. Why not? What could possibly go wrong?"</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Farouk's impossible handsomeness and regal bearing helped calm Elena down. Despite her determination in the Isaac's cabin, she harboured deep reservations about this plan.</p><p></p><p>Matai Shang scared her. If he decided to take action against him, they'd have only Farouk to help them escape. Their plan hinged on the notion that he wouldn't be expecting them, and that he wouldn't have any way of dealing with Farouk.</p><p></p><p>But Madame Yuek scared her, too. Whereas Shang seemed almost like some kind of monster, Yuek acted like a person at times. Which made her savagery and bizarre conduct all the more terrifying.</p><p></p><p>Yuek and Shang. Elena felt that she and her friends had become caught in what would just be a petty game of rivalry, were it not for the unthinkable power of the rivals in question.</p><p></p><p>She looked over where Arrafin stood, asking Farouk questions about his role in historical events. The Naridic girl was changing, all of them could see it. Secretive and so quick to anger whenever Madame Yuek's agenda was questioned. Elena's reservations grew as she considered her friend.</p><p></p><p>It would be the two of them who would go, along with Etienne. Isaac would stay here to bodyguard Nevid, just in case Shang was suddenly able to track the young man down. What exactly Isaac would be able to do if Shang showed up nobody thought too much about.</p><p></p><p>"Do we need to hold hands?"</p><p></p><p>Farouk shook his head to Elena's question.</p><p></p><p>"No, mistress. Simply stand near me."</p><p></p><p>"Okay."</p><p></p><p>The rough furnishings of Isaac's room faded around them in a swirl of wild colour and starbursts. And they passed through the Dream Worlds.</p><p></p><p>Faces, laughing or shrieking or crying. Hands clutching at her, melting away even as she pulled herself free. It was like slipping through a crowd that wavered, a mirage that pressed against her on all sides, only to give way whenever she tried to focus on it.</p><p></p><p>There was no sensation of time passing, but Elena felt her equilibrium slipping from her. Her heart accelerated and she felt as though she were trembling, and just as she was about to cry out, the colours and figures retreated on all sides, like water racing off a hot pan, and she stood with Farouk and her friends in a dark cavern, a high arched ceiling overhead held up by heavy pillars.</p><p></p><p>A spear's cast or so away, in the middle of the hall, stood a tall table upon which lay a massive figure, hands clutched on its chest, motionless even as the familiar and frightening shape of Matai Shang bent over it.</p><p></p><p>Mechanical legs skittered and scattered as the ancient sorcerer turned to face them, astonished.</p><p></p><p>He smiled suddenly and waved a hand.</p><p></p><p>Farouk disappeared.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, great."</p><p></p><p>Shang rushed towards them, shrieking like some wild beast.</p><p></p><p>Etienne threw Arrafin behind him and drew his knives.</p><p></p><p>"Elena, hit him with something."</p><p></p><p>Purple light flared and something inhuman roared, but Shang continued towards them, now snarling with fury. Etienne backed up as quickly as he could.</p><p></p><p>"Fools! I will gut you all and leave you for ravens to pick over!"</p><p></p><p>"Well, I think this answers our questions."</p><p></p><p>"Oh."</p><p></p><p>"What is it, Arrafin?"</p><p></p><p>"It's. Never mind."</p><p></p><p>"Now is no time to--"</p><p></p><p>Etienne broke off as he turned around and found himself facing a wall of crimson silk. He looked up.</p><p></p><p>Madame Yuek smiled down at him. She winked.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this."</p><p></p><p>Shang screeched to a sudden halt. He stared in horror. His mechanical carriage lurched, and legs splintered. The remaining limbs scurried backwards.</p><p></p><p>Madame Yuek began laughing at the same moment Shang began screaming. The tall vampire walked forward, past Arrafin and her friends.</p><p></p><p>"You run along home now. I'm going to play for a while."</p><p></p><p>The room shook with a sudden explosion. Farouk appeared and bowed to Elena.</p><p></p><p>"Mistress, I am able to return now. I am at your service."</p><p></p><p>"Get us out of here!"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, mistress."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="barsoomcore, post: 4197027, member: 812"] [b]What A Woman's Got To Do: 5[/b] "I think you're going to have to start again from the beginning." Kho smiled, his eyes crinkling up like a friendly grandfather's. Elena couldn't help but smile back at him, despite the queasiness in her stomach and the pounding in her head. Arrafin lay sprawled beside her on a bench, groaning in Naridic. "The Seven Orders have sent us to find and destroy the Demon Goddess of our homeland." Etienne scoffed. "And what makes them think you're up to the job?" "It matters not. She must be slain or our lands will never again be green." Arrafin forced herself upright. "What are you talking about?" Elena was watching carefully, and she saw the faintest hint of sadness on Kho's face, quickly hidden behind another grandfatherly smile. He bowed to Arrafin. "She is queen of all evil. Our people suffer, our children are born deformed, and our crops barely grow, because of her. Unless we slay her, our country is doomed." "I'm not listening to this. You people are nuts. Kill her? With what, that big sharp sword of yours? You don't know what you're talking about." Kho drew in a slow breath and exhaled. "You have not seen what has become of Tianguo in her wake. Our land groans under her madness. She has corrupted everything that we rely on. She must die, or our people will perish." Arrafin stared, angry at first, but something in Kho's quiet expression melted her and she leaned forward, her big eyes blinking back sympathy. "But you know she didn't have a choice. She didn't ask to be... that. Shang did it to her." Kho shook his head. "She must die. We will slay her. And you will bring us to her." "That won't be a good day for you, I promise." Elena grabbed at her friend before Arrafin could rush off. "I think we need to talk. Just us." The two women locked gazes for a moment, and Arrafin nodded. "But not these guys. They creep me out." ***** Isaac looked up from his cot as the inn room door opened and Nevid came in, pushed by Elena and Arrafin. Etienne sauntered in after them, closing the door behind him. "Well." Elena sat on the floor across from Isaac and wrapped her arms around her knees. "I think we have a problem." Isaac sighed. "That's understating the situation considerably." "Okay, but in specific, I'm worried we're on the wrong side." "What?" "I'm sorry, Arrafin, but you heard Kho. I don't think he's lying. I'm worried that Madame Yuek's the bad guy in all this. Maybe we should be helping Shang, not her." Etienne put up a hand. "Hasn't Shang pretty much tried to kill us everytime we've seen him?" "Has he? We've only got Madame Yuek's word for what he's up to." Arrafin crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you suggesting? We go work for him?" "No, Arrafin. I'm suggesting we go talk to him. I've been, uh, talking to Farouk, and he can travel across distances. Sort of like that Shadow walking trick that Kani did. If you know where somebody is, he can take us there." "But we don't know where Shang is. And seriously? Talk to Matai Shang, the insane sorcerer who wants Nevid's head? How is this a good idea?" "Shang's at the Sleeping King. And Farouk can find the Sleeping King." Everyone considered the news. Etienne put his hand up again. "So we show up in front of him. Then what?" "Then we ask him what he wants." "Oh, great idea, Elena. Why don't we just cut our own throats and save him the cleaning bill?" "Arrafin, we don't know what he wants." "Yes, we do. He wants to destroy the Blood Council forever." "That's what your girlfriend wants us to believe, you mean." "Would you drop it, Elena? That's not funny. Shang is dangerous. We can't stop him if he tries to take Nevid's head." "Let's ask Nevid." "Sure. Nevid?" The entire room turned to the young Saijadani fellow. Nevid swallowed. [i]I need your brain.[/i] "I think it's a good idea. We should see what he wants." Isaac looked around at his friends. He got to his feet. "Sure. Why not? What could possibly go wrong?" ***** Farouk's impossible handsomeness and regal bearing helped calm Elena down. Despite her determination in the Isaac's cabin, she harboured deep reservations about this plan. Matai Shang scared her. If he decided to take action against him, they'd have only Farouk to help them escape. Their plan hinged on the notion that he wouldn't be expecting them, and that he wouldn't have any way of dealing with Farouk. But Madame Yuek scared her, too. Whereas Shang seemed almost like some kind of monster, Yuek acted like a person at times. Which made her savagery and bizarre conduct all the more terrifying. Yuek and Shang. Elena felt that she and her friends had become caught in what would just be a petty game of rivalry, were it not for the unthinkable power of the rivals in question. She looked over where Arrafin stood, asking Farouk questions about his role in historical events. The Naridic girl was changing, all of them could see it. Secretive and so quick to anger whenever Madame Yuek's agenda was questioned. Elena's reservations grew as she considered her friend. It would be the two of them who would go, along with Etienne. Isaac would stay here to bodyguard Nevid, just in case Shang was suddenly able to track the young man down. What exactly Isaac would be able to do if Shang showed up nobody thought too much about. "Do we need to hold hands?" Farouk shook his head to Elena's question. "No, mistress. Simply stand near me." "Okay." The rough furnishings of Isaac's room faded around them in a swirl of wild colour and starbursts. And they passed through the Dream Worlds. Faces, laughing or shrieking or crying. Hands clutching at her, melting away even as she pulled herself free. It was like slipping through a crowd that wavered, a mirage that pressed against her on all sides, only to give way whenever she tried to focus on it. There was no sensation of time passing, but Elena felt her equilibrium slipping from her. Her heart accelerated and she felt as though she were trembling, and just as she was about to cry out, the colours and figures retreated on all sides, like water racing off a hot pan, and she stood with Farouk and her friends in a dark cavern, a high arched ceiling overhead held up by heavy pillars. A spear's cast or so away, in the middle of the hall, stood a tall table upon which lay a massive figure, hands clutched on its chest, motionless even as the familiar and frightening shape of Matai Shang bent over it. Mechanical legs skittered and scattered as the ancient sorcerer turned to face them, astonished. He smiled suddenly and waved a hand. Farouk disappeared. "Oh, great." Shang rushed towards them, shrieking like some wild beast. Etienne threw Arrafin behind him and drew his knives. "Elena, hit him with something." Purple light flared and something inhuman roared, but Shang continued towards them, now snarling with fury. Etienne backed up as quickly as he could. "Fools! I will gut you all and leave you for ravens to pick over!" "Well, I think this answers our questions." "Oh." "What is it, Arrafin?" "It's. Never mind." "Now is no time to--" Etienne broke off as he turned around and found himself facing a wall of crimson silk. He looked up. Madame Yuek smiled down at him. She winked. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this." Shang screeched to a sudden halt. He stared in horror. His mechanical carriage lurched, and legs splintered. The remaining limbs scurried backwards. Madame Yuek began laughing at the same moment Shang began screaming. The tall vampire walked forward, past Arrafin and her friends. "You run along home now. I'm going to play for a while." The room shook with a sudden explosion. Farouk appeared and bowed to Elena. "Mistress, I am able to return now. I am at your service." "Get us out of here!" "Yes, mistress." [/QUOTE]
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